TY - JOUR T1 - Unique cortical physiology associated with ipsilateral hand movements and neuroprosthetic implications. JF - Stroke Y1 - 2008 A1 - Wisneski, Kimberly A1 - Nicholas R Anderson A1 - Gerwin Schalk A1 - Smyth, Matt A1 - Moran, D A1 - Leuthardt, E C KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Artificial Limbs KW - Bionics KW - Brain Mapping KW - Child KW - Dominance, Cerebral KW - Electroencephalography KW - Female KW - Hand KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Motor Cortex KW - Movement KW - Paresis KW - Prosthesis Design KW - Psychomotor Performance KW - Stroke KW - User-Computer Interface KW - Volition AB -

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 

Brain computer interfaces (BCIs) offer little direct benefit to patients with hemispheric stroke because current platforms rely on signals derived from the contralateral motor cortex (the same region injured by the stroke). For BCIs to assist hemiparetic patients, the implant must use unaffected cortex ipsilateral to the affected limb. This requires the identification of distinct electrophysiological features from the motor cortex associated with ipsilateral hand movements.

METHODS: 

In this study we studied 6 patients undergoing temporary placement of intracranial electrode arrays. Electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals were recorded while the subjects engaged in specific ipsilateral or contralateral hand motor tasks. Spectral changes were identified with regards to frequency, location, and timing.

RESULTS: 

Ipsilateral hand movements were associated with electrophysiological changes that occur in lower frequency spectra, at distinct anatomic locations, and earlier than changes associated with contralateral hand movements. In a subset of 3 patients, features specific to ipsilateral and contralateral hand movements were used to control a cursor on a screen in real time. In ipsilateral derived control this was optimal with lower frequency spectra.

CONCLUSIONS: 

There are distinctive cortical electrophysiological features associated with ipsilateral movements which can be used for device control. These findings have implications for patients with hemispheric stroke because they offer a potential methodology for which a single hemisphere can be used to enhance the function of a stroke induced hemiparesis.

VL - 39 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18927456 IS - 12 ER -